The Rise of the Drone Helicopter

Back in the 1960s the Navy flew the QH-50 DASH—"Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter"—which was intended to carry anti-submarine torpedoes. Although the DASH was tried in several roles, including tactical reconnaissance in Vietnam, it was not a success. Many QH-50s ended their days ingloriously, towing targets at White Sands missile range.Poor training and rushed development were blamed for the failure, though it's also been suggested that it was a political threat to the Navy's manned anti-submarine helicopter program.Now the landscape is very different. The demand for transport and reconnaissance helicopters cannot be met with manned craft alone. And if the drone helicopters are a success with the military, then civil roles could follow. Without the cost of a pilot, and given the ability to pick up and deliver small payloads, drone helicopters might prove an economic way of delivering high-value urgent packages such as medical supplies.

Camcopter S-100

Camcopter S-100

Back in the 1960s the Navy flew the QH-50 DASH—"Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter"—which was intended to carry anti-submarine torpedoes. Although the DASH was tried in several roles, including tactical reconnaissance in Vietnam, it was not a success. Many QH-50s ended their days ingloriously, towing targets at White Sands missile range.

Poor training and rushed development were blamed for the failure, though it's also been suggested that it was a political threat to the Navy's manned anti-submarine helicopter program.

Now the landscape is very different. The demand for transport and reconnaissance helicopters cannot be met with manned craft alone. And if the drone helicopters are a success with the military, then civil roles could follow. Without the cost of a pilot, and given the ability to pick up and deliver small payloads, drone helicopters might prove an economic way of delivering high-value urgent packages such as medical supplies.

K-MAX Unmanned

K-MAX Unmanned

Special Features: A heavyweight cargo hauler, the K-MAX can carry an impressive 6000 pounds—more than its empty weight. Described by the makers as a flying truck, it's built to fly for long hours in all weather conditions, carrying out repetitive tasks such as shuttling between supply points and forward bases. It has unique intermeshing main rotors which rotate in opposite directions to cancel out torque.

Although the unmanned version has only been flying for a couple of years, the manned version of K-MAX is well-proven, having been certified in 1994.

Prospects for 2011: In December the Navy awarded a $45.8 million contract for two K-MAX helicopters and three ground stations. The craft will start a Quick Reaction Assessment with the Marine Corps this summer.